Update of shortening my bed.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fade94 · 03-17-2006, 09:51 AM

Rear has been cut and tacked back together. Front has been cut, but not welded yet. Had to postpone work while I installed a garage door opener.

All the body lines line up well and the bed uses the factory mounting locations on the frame. After the bed is heavily tacked, I will pull the front clip and doors and do my rockers before taking the cab off. Then the drivetrain comes out and the bed comes off so I can cut the frame down. New cam kit on the bench waiting to go in to current motor until I get the new motor and trans built. Already have my air, tilt and cruise cleaned up, painted and ready to install.
Wish me luck...

**N2TRUX** · 03-17-2006, 10:23 AM

Looks like a nice job so far. The cuts are clean and straight. Keep us posted on your progress...

**Palf70Step** · 03-17-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Looks like a nice job so far. The cuts are clean and straight. Keep us posted on your progress...

Very cool that you are doing it that way. Normally see the frame being shortened and just adding the SWB bed.

Scrubby · 03-17-2006, 11:07 AM

Awesome job! That is going to look nice.

70rs/ss · 03-17-2006, 11:46 AM

Don't take this the wrong way, but isn't that a lot of work for a short bed? I am from AZ so maybe I have a distorted view, but there are a lot of short beds running around. Again, I love your craftsmanship and it looks awsome, but just wondering?

fade94 · 03-17-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

Don't take this the wrong way, but isn't that a lot of work for a short bed? I am from AZ so maybe I have a distorted view, but there are a lot of short beds running around. Again, I love your craftsmanship and it looks awsome, but just wondering?

It is a lot of work. But decent short beds are few and far between around here. Just working with what I have. Plus, my son is getting a great education in how to do this stuff. We are both learning on this truck.

Bighead- Come on over anytime.

faribran · 03-17-2006, 10:58 AM

that looks good.......... i like the idea of cutting the sections out without taking the sides/floor apart...... kewl..
plz post future pics also..

bighead · 03-17-2006, 11:49 AM

Looks great fade, I'll have to come over and see your progress.

**raggedjim** · 03-17-2006, 01:20 PM

Finding a GOOD short bed in Kentucky is getting very difficult. This has got me eyeballin' some good long beds, which are MUCH easier to find...

Great job, what did you cut it with?

Rg

68haywagon · 03-17-2006, 03:51 PM

Finding a good LWB bed is harder here....nice work though, definitely makes a good learning experience

Mike

**dennislbrooks** · 03-17-2006, 05:09 PM

cool -- take your time with the welds to prevent warping---

70rs/ss · 03-17-2006, 05:25 PM

I am going down and buying that 72 short bed fleet 4X4 for $500, if they are hard to find. That'll make three; 2 4X4's and 0ne 2wd. They made hundreds of thousands of these (rare or hard to find is a relative term). I completely understand your motive, and a project that brings family together is worth it. I have just always wondered with all the folks cutting longbed frames and or beds. Come out west and get one, more than likely you can drive it home. For those of you that say shipping will kill me, think about the hours involved in doing this "RIGHT" and you'll find spending more upfront will save you in the end. Good Luck, and it looks sweet!

boraxman · 03-17-2006, 05:32 PM

Idea of the year award

Think about it You could probably start a business turing long beds/sides into short beds/sides.

70rs/ss · 03-17-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boraxman

Idea of the year award

Think about it You could probably start a business turing long beds/sides into short beds/sides.

Now that is an idea the repops are what $500? He has the skill, those cuts are line staight, weld em up and cash in.

boraxman · 03-17-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

Now that is an idea the repops are what $500? He has the skill, those cuts are line staight, weld em up and cash in.

Thats what im talkin bout! Plus they would be original sheet metal.

Frizzle Fry · 03-17-2006, 06:40 PM

Nice work

I did that too. Just never used the bed. Ended up giving the bedsides away because I sold the truck I was making them for and I wanted the room.

I used an 8" circular saw with an abrasive blade so I could cut the inner and outer panels with one pass.

If I had the room I'd do it the way fade did; leave the bedsides on.

stllookn · 03-17-2006, 07:04 PM

Nice work...both of you! Frizzle Fry come on up for the Monroe Swap meet and you can do mine Friday night before the meet...LOL! Any reason why you cut just behind the rear wheel well? Less taper there or did you just want to preserve the taillight mounts?

Frizzle Fry · 03-17-2006, 07:45 PM

We could make a Trazer from one of your Longhorns

I cut there because of the taper like you said. It was surprisingly easy to line back up (as long as the cuts are square).

jc · 03-17-2006, 08:41 PM

one good thing about shortening a long bed is you can keep 6 stake pockets
which would confuse the hell out of everybody
this would be good if you were actualy gonna use the truck as a truck

mine dont haul anything but some fold up chairs to cruise night

but the bad thing is ,,,,your cutting up a long bed!!!!!!
j/k
do what you gotta do to get her done

SCOTI · 03-17-2006, 09:12 PM

Heck.... price the cost of short beds & it's east to see why someone w/the tools & time might opt for this method. I don't necessarily have the time so I bought mine.

Looks great fade & the investment in your relationship w/your kid is immeasurable.

72armyswbtruck · 03-17-2006, 09:09 PM

Lookin Cool

jbon64 · 03-18-2006, 12:19 AM

dang fine work , to the both of ya's

72-stomper · 03-18-2006, 11:26 AM

Heres my shortened box finished in BLACK

red71cheyenne · 04-06-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72-stomper

Heres my shortened box finished in BLACK

Holy cow! That is really short. How much did you take off the bed for that?

FRENCHBLUE72 · 03-18-2006, 04:45 PM

Nice job on the bed shorting....72 stomper got anymore pics of that clean ride???

03-17-2006, 09:51 AM	#1
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Update of shortening my bed.. Rear has been cut and tacked back together. Front has been cut, but not welded yet. Had to postpone work while I installed a garage door opener. All the body lines line up well and the bed uses the factory mounting locations on the frame. After the bed is heavily tacked, I will pull the front clip and doors and do my rockers before taking the cab off. Then the drivetrain comes out and the bed comes off so I can cut the frame down. New cam kit on the bench waiting to go in to current motor until I get the new motor and trans built. Already have my air, tilt and cruise cleaned up, painted and ready to install. Wish me luck... Attached Images __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

03-17-2006, 10:23 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Looks like a nice job so far. The cuts are clean and straight. Keep us posted on your progress... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-17-2006, 11:07 AM	#4
Scrubby Check out GMTrucks.org Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 284	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Awesome job! That is going to look nice.

03-17-2006, 11:46 AM	#5
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Don't take this the wrong way, but isn't that a lot of work for a short bed? I am from AZ so maybe I have a distorted view, but there are a lot of short beds running around. Again, I love your craftsmanship and it looks awsome, but just wondering?

03-17-2006, 10:58 AM	#7
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. that looks good.......... i like the idea of cutting the sections out without taking the sides/floor apart...... kewl.. plz post future pics also..

03-17-2006, 11:49 AM	#8
bighead Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 465	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Looks great fade, I'll have to come over and see your progress.

03-17-2006, 01:20 PM	#9
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,595	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Finding a GOOD short bed in Kentucky is getting very difficult. This has got me eyeballin' some good long beds, which are MUCH easier to find... Great job, what did you cut it with? Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

03-17-2006, 03:51 PM	#10
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Finding a good LWB bed is harder here....nice work though, definitely makes a good learning experience Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

03-17-2006, 05:09 PM	#11
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,787	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. cool -- take your time with the welds to prevent warping---

03-17-2006, 05:25 PM	#12
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. I am going down and buying that 72 short bed fleet 4X4 for $500, if they are hard to find. That'll make three; 2 4X4's and 0ne 2wd. They made hundreds of thousands of these (rare or hard to find is a relative term). I completely understand your motive, and a project that brings family together is worth it. I have just always wondered with all the folks cutting longbed frames and or beds. Come out west and get one, more than likely you can drive it home. For those of you that say shipping will kill me, think about the hours involved in doing this "RIGHT" and you'll find spending more upfront will save you in the end. Good Luck, and it looks sweet!

03-17-2006, 05:32 PM	#13
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Idea of the year award Think about it You could probably start a business turing long beds/sides into short beds/sides. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

03-17-2006, 06:40 PM	#16
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Nice work I did that too. Just never used the bed. Ended up giving the bedsides away because I sold the truck I was making them for and I wanted the room. I used an 8" circular saw with an abrasive blade so I could cut the inner and outer panels with one pass. If I had the room I'd do it the way fade did; leave the bedsides on.

03-17-2006, 07:04 PM	#17
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Nice work...both of you! Frizzle Fry come on up for the Monroe Swap meet and you can do mine Friday night before the meet...LOL! Any reason why you cut just behind the rear wheel well? Less taper there or did you just want to preserve the taillight mounts? __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 03-17-2006 at 07:05 PM.

03-17-2006, 07:45 PM	#18
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. We could make a Trazer from one of your Longhorns I cut there because of the taper like you said. It was surprisingly easy to line back up (as long as the cuts are square).

03-17-2006, 08:41 PM	#19
jc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jackson, New Jersey Posts: 1,560	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. one good thing about shortening a long bed is you can keep 6 stake pockets which would confuse the hell out of everybody this would be good if you were actualy gonna use the truck as a truck mine dont haul anything but some fold up chairs to cruise night but the bad thing is ,,,,your cutting up a long bed!!!!!! j/k do what you gotta do to get her done __________________ 2004 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab 4x4 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1971 CHEYENNE LWB (THE LOVE SHACK) 1967 c-10 lwb (THE FARMERS DAUGHTER) Last edited by jc; 03-17-2006 at 08:43 PM.



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03-17-2006, 09:12 PM	#20
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,037	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Heck.... price the cost of short beds & it's east to see why someone w/the tools & time might opt for this method. I don't necessarily have the time so I bought mine. Looks great fade & the investment in your relationship w/your kid is immeasurable. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

03-17-2006, 09:09 PM	#21
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Lookin Cool __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

03-18-2006, 12:19 AM	#22
jbon64 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: sidney , illinois Posts: 312	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. dang fine work , to the both of ya's __________________ hey.....smell my finger 64 nova wagon , 63 nova convertible

03-18-2006, 11:26 AM	#23
72-stomper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 142	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Heres my shortened box finished in BLACK

03-18-2006, 04:45 PM	#25
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Re: Update of shortening my bed.. Nice job on the bed shorting....72 stomper got anymore pics of that clean ride??? __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

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